In a swift turn of events, Ethiopia’s federal army has reclaimed control of the Orthodox holy town of Lalibela in the north, following the overnight departure of militiamen who had seized control the previous day, according to residents.
Residents reported that members of the Amhara Fano “self-defense” militia left during the night, with the federal army now in charge of the town. Lalibela, renowned for its rock-hewn churches, witnessed the dramatic shift, as confirmed by a resident who spoke to AFP on Thursday morning under the condition of anonymity.
The Fano, informal militias comprising volunteer citizen-fighters, had previously supported the Ethiopian army during the two-year conflict with rebel authorities in the neighboring Tigray region. The conflict concluded with an agreement signed in November 2022 in Pretoria, reshuffling alliances and escalating tensions in the Amhara region due to territorial disputes.
As one resident noted, “Until early this morning, the Fano controlled most of the town. When we woke up, they were finishing leaving town.” Another resident, also requesting anonymity for security reasons, confirmed the deployment of the Federal Armed Forces (ENDF) in the streets, with no audible clashes reported on Thursday.
Reports from Wednesday had indicated that the Fano had gained control of Lalibela, pushing federal forces to the outskirts of a base on the town’s edge. Gunfire and explosions had rocked the town during the day.
Despite the unfolding events, verification was challenging, as federal authorities denied journalists access to Amhara on Wednesday. Efforts to reach the federal governmen壯陽藥 t, Ethiopian army, and regional authorities for comment remained unanswered since Wednesday, leaving the situation unclear.
Ethiopia, the second most populous country in Africa with 120 million inhabitants, grapples with multiple simultaneous yet unrelated conflicts. The nation, characterized by a mosaic of 80 peoples, faces ongoing challenges with territorial disputes and internal conflicts.